Tuesday, November 4, 2003
I was not a Ronald Reagan admirer. Not having gone through my conversion from congenital Democrat to current, more open-minded self yet, my mental baggage concerning the former President carries a lot of negativity with it - negativity I'm currently willing to re-examine. It's a fortunate time to do so with all of the bruhaha kicked up by the upcoming (unless it gets cancelled) CBS drama on Ronald Reagan.
I remember well the battles over AIDS and homosexuality that came to the fore during the Reagan years. I remember how political the debate was (recounted well in David Horowitz's book, Radical Son).
So it is with interest that I read pieces that shed light on Ronald Reagan the man, like Tamy Bruce's in today's Frontpage Magazine:
FrontPage magazine: A Tammy Blog
Marc wrote a letter to CBS entertainment head Les Moonves making clear his disgust at the portrayal of the President, especially the assertion that Reagan was a cruel homophobe. While Marc did not write his letter for public consumption, I found it important and asked it I could share it with you. He graciously agreed.
Here is the education Marc Christian gave Les Moonves:
"The notion that President Reagan was a homophobe strikes me as silly beyond belief. Not only did he have several gay men on his staff when he was Governor of California, he called my lover, Rock Hudson when he was on his deathbed just weeks before he died of AIDS and wished him well and voiced his and Nancy's concern and prayers.
"…The Reagans had known Rock for years and knew he was gay (as did most in Hollywood). The point is Reagan could have ignored Rock's illness and didn't. He could have just issued a public statement concerning his "official sorrow" but made a personal phone call instead.
"CBS used to be the network of class, now its the official arm of the Democrat party and its sources for information regarding truth below that of The National Enquirer. I bet President Reagan's phone call to Rock Hudson isn't in the screenplay or should I say smearplay, is it?"
Marc Christian.
Hollywood, CA
